"The most important goal in my life is to have some significant impact in preserving and expanding the realm of personal freedom in the life of this country.” Richard D. Obenshain

A Message from Rep. Forbes

So as I’m skimming through my inbox, I come across my now fairly regular email from Congressman Forbes. As I stated in a previous post, I’ve appreciated the Representative’s emails and I expected today’s to be of interest. After reading the message, what caught my eye was not the body, but the introduction. Normally, most emails of this nature are sent out in bulk to constituents and interested parties. However, this one came with a personalized message reading: “I thought you’d be interested in reading this resolution that I am supporting. Congressman Goodlatte plans to introduce the legislation this week.

– Randy”

Given that I live in the 6th district, the mention of Bob Goodlatte would be no mere coincidence. Clearly someone in Rep. Forbes’ office knows a bit about me and took the time to add this personalized greeting. I must say that it’s nice to be noticed, and I am very humbled to be singled out in this way. These days, most Washington politicians are far too busy, too disinterested, or too overwhelmed to get to know the people in their district, let alone folks outside. I’d like to think that this blog would make an impact, that it will be noticed. That gesture raises my hopes that people are listening and that anyone, including myself, can make a difference. So thank you very much Congressman Forbes and your staff. You made my day.

By now you are asking, “what does the resolution say already!?” It is as follows:

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that House Democrats should join House Republicans in a total ban on earmarks for one year, that total discretionary spending should be reduced by the amount saved by earmark moratoriums and that a bipartisan, bicameral committee should be created to review and overhaul the budgetary, spending and earmark processes.

WHEREAS families all across our nation must make tough decisions each day about what they can and cannot afford;

WHEREAS government officials should be required to exercise an even higher standard when spending taxpayers’ hard-earned income;

WHEREAS Thomas Jefferson once wrote: “To preserve [the] independence [of the people,] we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude;

WHEREAS our national debt is at its highest rate ever;

WHEREAS the federal budget deficit is projected to exceed $1 trillion for the next two fiscal years and hover around $800 billion annually for the foreseeable future;

WHEREAS current levels of spending are simply unsustainable;

WHEREAS it is time for Congress to wake up and see that the federal deficits and the national debt have reached crisis status;

WHEREAS Congress must control spending, paving the way for a return to surpluses and ultimately paying down the national debt, rather than allow big spenders to lead us further down the road of chronic deficits and in doing so leave our children and grandchildren saddled with debt that is not their own;

WHEREAS House Republicans have adopted a one year total moratorium on all Congressional earmarks: Now therefore be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that—

(1) The entire membership of the House should join House Republicans in a total ban on earmarks for one year;

(2) Discretionary spending should be reduced in the FY 2011 Budget by the total amount that was spent on requests for earmarks in FY 2010;

(3) In the event that spending in the FY 2011 Budget is not so reduced by the amount spent for earmarks in FY 2010, an amendment to the budget resolution to effectuate this change must be made in order; and

(4) A complete review and overhaul of the Congressional budgetary, spending and earmark processes should be commenced by creating a bi-partisan, bicameral committee to study the issue and report back with recommendations.

With all the hoopla over the hot button topic of socialized medicine, we sometimes forget that there are hardworking men and women fighting for our principles in Washington. Limiting earmarks would be an important step to reign in federal spending and reduce the growth of our crippling debt. We must stop the cycle of burdening future generations with the frivolities of today. Although I’d like to see the resolution expanded beyond a one-year time frame, it is a bold move in the quest for financial liberty. And if Congressman Goodlatte and Congressman Forbes will support this resolution, I am proud to stand along side them the best that I can.

To Representative Forbes, his staff, and all lovers of liberty, I hope that you have found my posts worthwhile and will continue to visit often. Remember, comments (as long as they are civil) are always welcome.

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One Response

Would it really be that great? Earmarks are some of the few ways to get necessary money without the need for full votes on measures. In addition, it provides local funding for initiatives that the community cannot afford, yet badly needs. I’m not advocating for deficit spending, but given the option between it and the effects of slashing all Earmarks, I’d go with the Deficit Spending.

Earmarks do not account for enough of the budget to make a big impact on the debt, yet there effects are felt in local communities and scientific research.

As a Moderate-Libertarian, I’d love for Congress to go after the big items. Trimming the Defense Budget, moving towards an end to the War in Iraq, reigning in the Bush Tax-Cuts to ensure that we won’t have the Obama Tax-Hikes.